DFER LA Congratulates 15 Endorsed Candidates on Election Day Victories

Lousiana

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October 13, 2019

DFER LA Congratulates 15 Endorsed Candidates on Election Day Victories 15 DFER champions win races in BESE, House & Senate; Eight DFER-backed candidates face runoffs NEW ORLEANS, LA – Following the reported victories of 15 DFER champions for seats in the Legislature and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), Democrats for Education Reform Louisiana’s State Director, Eva Kemp, released the following statement:  “We’re proud to congratulate so many DFER candidates on their hard-fought and well-deserved victories tonight,” said Kemp. “At our core, we believe the Democratic Party should be the party that champions schoolchildren. The victories tonight prove that to be true and are a testament to the need for continued progress and opportunity for students and their families in Louisiana. We’d especially like to congratulate Governor John Bel Edwards, who has been a partner in advancing equitable policies both in and outside the classroom, on reaching a strong position for the November runoff. We will continue to support him throughout the next 34 days to ensure his re-election and continued service to Louisiana’s students and families.” Based on unofficial returns, both of DFER’s candidates for the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) won outright: 
  • District 2: Kira Orange Jones won re-election handily with 61% of the vote; and,
  • District 8: Preston Castille, a first time-candidate and education and civic leader bested his three opponents with 52% of the vote.
“It’s evident that Kira Orange Jones’ leadership and voice on BESE is invaluable; we’re thrilled that her tenure on BESE will continue and the lasting impact she will have on Louisiana students,” said Kemp. “Moreover, we’re thrilled that Preston Castille won outright; he will be a vibrant leader on BESE, crafting policy and building collaborative relationships that can take our state’s education system to new levels.” Based on the unofficial returns, six DFER-backed candidates won Louisiana Senate races outright: 
  • Senate District 2: Sen. Ed Price won re-election with 59% of the vote.
  • Senate District 5: Sen. Karen Carter Peterson will return to the Senate with 79% of the vote.
  • Senate District 14: former Sen. Cleo Fields edged out his opponent with 53% of the vote.
  • Senate District 24: Sen. Gerald Boudreaux won re-election handily with 76% of the vote. 
  • Senate District 29: Sen. Jay Luneau will continue serving in the Senate with 61% of the vote.
  • Senate District 39: Sen. Greg Tarver was easily re-elected with 69% of the vote. 
Seven DFER-backed candidates won elections to the Louisiana House of Representatives: 
  • House District 18: Rep. Jeremy LaCombe held a strong victory margin with 63% of the vote. 
  • House District 40: Rep. Dustin Miller was easily re-elected with 70% of the vote.
  • House District 58: Rep. Ken Brass was re-elected with 76% of the vote. 
  • House District 63: Rep. Barbara West Carpenter was re-elected with 62% of the vote.
  • House District 75: Rep. Malinda White held on to her seat easily with 64% of the vote.
  • House District 87: Rep. Rodney Lyons won re-election handily with 79% of the vote.
  • House District 100: Jason Hughes was elected to the district’s open seat with 66% of the vote.
Of note, both House Districts 18 and 75 were carried by President Donald Trump in 2016 and were heavily targeted by Republicans. DFER previously backed Rep. LaCombe in a landslide victory in a special election earlier this year.  “When DFER first considered these candidates for endorsements, it was clear that each of them would champion public schoolchildren as they consider issues that affect Louisiana’s students and families inside and outside the classroom,” said Kemp. “We look forward to building strong relationships with them as they begin their new term in the Legislature. Each of these victories affirms that voters across the state are demanding better options and resources for their students. It’s quite powerful that we will have quality education champions and dedicated public servants advocating for our students for the next four years.” “Our work is not done and we will ensure the eight remaining DFER-backed candidates get the resources they need to finish strong as they face a run-off election in November. DFER LA PAC will also be issuing new endorsements for select runoff races in the coming weeks,” said Kemp. Here are the unofficial results in select House and Senate races that are headed to a runoff: 
  • Senate District 16: Beverly Brooks Thompson (34%) holds a strong position heading into the runoff and faces Rep. Franklin Foil (30%), who edged into second place over Rep. Steve Carter by just eight votes.
  • House District 3: Daryl Joy Walters (33%) and Tammy Phelps (46%) head into the runoff in this North Louisiana district. 
  • House District 16: Frederick D. Jones (50%) finished just short of an outright win and will face Daryll Berry (23%).
  • House District 21: C. Travis Johnson (44%) will face Glen B. McGlothin, Jr. (23%).
  • House District 34: Kevin Guidry (41%) will face Wilford Carter, Sr. (48%) in this Lake Charles area district.
  • House District 67: Both DFER-backed candidates Larry Selders (38%) and Leah Cullins (29%) head to the runoff.
  • House District 99: Adonis Exposé (40%) and Candance Newell (49%) will face off in November.
The runoff election for the Governor’s race and legislative races will be on Saturday, November 16. Early voting will take place from Sat. Nov. 2 to Sat. Nov. 9 (except Sunday, Nov. 3) from 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. ###